Came in right after they opened around 7:15 and it was exactly the kind of low key morning I needed. We were greeted quickly and our party of 4 was seated in a booth without any wait. Only a couple of other parties in there at that hour -- quiet and calm, which honestly made it better. Our server was prompt with waters and drink orders. I got the Morning Meditation, which came out pretty quickly. Tasted good as usual, though the ginger flavor was a little lighter than normal. Not a complaint, just something I noticed. For breakfast I ordered my usual -- the Power Breakfast Bowl. My go-to for a reason. It can lean slightly bland because of the quinoa so I always add salt and pepper, but once you do that it's a really solid, satisfying bowl. Never disappointed me yet. First Watch Ballantyne is a reliable spot for a peaceful breakfast. Consistent food and a relaxed atmosphere, especially if you get there early. read more

Food was amazing, Abby was great! Loved her personality. I loved the way she treated us. The ambiance was very nice. read more

First Watch - Chilaquiles were out of this world or as Abby put it "bomb.com" - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I usually visit the First Watch location in Fort Mill and have always been pleased with both the food and service. This was my first visit to this location, and while the customer service was good, I was disappointed by the cleanliness. I visited First Watch last Saturday in Ballantyne and was disappointed with the cleanliness of the utensils and glassware. We were given two different sets of utensils, and both had food residue still stuck on them. The water glasses also had a fishy odor, making us question whether they had been properly cleaned. Clean dishes and utensils are a basic expectation when dining out, and this experience was quite off-putting. The only positive aspect was the customer service. read more

My dining mate and I went here for breakfast and really enjoyed it. Extensive menu, open table seating, comfortable atmosphere, attentive friendly waitress. We ordered the avocado toast, classic breakfast of eggs, homefries, toast and chicken apple sausage. Food plated nicely, good portions, reasonable prices but pricerer than some other breakfast restaurants. Coffee also good, pot left on the table. We would definitely return again. read more

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The food was perfect, service attentive and the food delivery quick. We will be back often read more

First Watch - Pesto chicken quinoa bowl that was outstanding!! The tender chicken multi flavors well blended !! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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AMAZING breakfast options and solid portions. Looking for something other than eggs, I had the AM Superfood Bowl which had chia seed pudding, fruit, granola, and toast with almond butter. Delicious! I love that they leave a coffee pitcher on the table for you. Although it's a traditional sit down restaurant, you pay at a counter by the door on your way out. read more

First Watch - AM Superfoods Bowl - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Been to their location out on Hwy 160. Think that location is better. Out of respect for the chain we give it three v. two stars. But it truly could have been better that we experienced. This one was different. Options seemed to be fewer when we met our son here for breakfast. Service was immediate, but it took some time for the food to be ready and we were only one of three tables occupied. Food arrived luke warm. Disappointing. Drinks were one coffee at $3.99 and two Red Medicines at $5.49 each. Nothing special. I had steak and egg hash at $15.79 and hash was minimal and steak tough. Son had biscuits and turkey gravy at $5.89 and he did not finish it. Wife opted for soup and a biscuit $4.99 plus $3.29. She said we would not be back. We think the kitchen must have been on a break. I think there were two servers present. A very quiet breakfast, for sure. read more

At first I was a bit iffy about the place. There weren't many people inside, and it seemed like it could be a boring suburban breakfast chain. But after enjoying my coffee, given a sample flight of juices to try, and receiving my delicious order, I noticed the place began to get packed and our waiter m's coffee must've been kicking in too, cause he was just too fun! My friend and I were there for the next couple hours, and were not rushed whatsoever, which we appreciated since we had so much to catch up on. Really loved my first experience here, as it was such an easy going local brunch style spot. read more

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Every time I visit a town that has a First Watch I always visit. Food and service is consistently good!

Kind waiters and quick service! The food was sooooo good, I got a market hash brown thing. I don't remember exactly what it was called but it was incredible, flavorful, and hearty. The vibes of the actual establishment were also quite pleasant and homey. read more

Came here last weekend on sunday. Which im sure you know is a notoriously busy as it gets time for any resturant let alone a brunch / breakfast joint. I was greeted by Carol i think her name was. And the other hostess some carribean woman. Nice smile easy on the eyes. I knew this was definitely going to be an experience. My sever i think her name was Kadiah , dont quote me im pretty sure i spelt that wrong. Nice server super professional. She seemed psychic the way she just seemed to rush off and know exactly what was needed for the table before i could even ask. Despite her having multiple tables and navigating what looks like a cramped server station. Super impressive. Obviously being a smaller party on a Sunday you have a better chance at priority seating. If theres large groups or families they can accommodate however this location doesnt seem to seat well its more of a lack of seating room as opposed to the staffing issue. The food. Let me tell you the mothafuckin food. Was great! For a sunday on a full house 15 minute food rollout is honestly a miracle to me. Potatoes hot. Salad sauced. Everything was so fresh and vibrant i forgot to take photos the way i ate it all. I feel like i might have to come back frequently. This location is down the street from me. Never tried it always wanted to. Now im glad i did. Highly suggest trying anything with eggs. Their egg cooks have hands of gold or something the way my omelet came out. You'd think it was made at a fine dining place. The breakfast hashes are good too. Goes down easily with the morning meditation drink. Very smoothe indeed. read more

First Watch - Busy sunday favorite location. What's up with the dingy bathroom? - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Alright. I am not a First Watch fan. I have tried. I have tried and it's the same no matter the location. On this visit, I indulged in coffee, double crunch tacos with fruit, and grits (sent back for potatoes). Anyway, the food wasn't all bad, but the simple items seemed to be the most bland. The coffee was coffee so that was good. The double crunch tacos were pretty alright with all of the things that go in it. It is a seasonal item. I would have liked it if maybe they used the million dollar bacon to give more flavor. They didn't season the meat and etc., just put toppings on it. But I could stomach it just fine. Now, the cheese grits were disgusting. The grits were thickly gritty and the cheese was crusted over the top like Mac and cheese. But dipping into them was not a joy. It tasted like instant and even with the salt and pepper added, it was nasty. We kindly sent them back (as do many people apparently). Our whole table sent them back haha. So we swapped for the potatoes. The potatoes were dryer than the Sahara desert. And a bit tough. I tried to smash em down with a fork and add ketchup. I just had to leave em there. The fruit came out and they had originally forgotten the Tahin, but that was an easy fix. There were a few hiccups with our orders and the bill being split up when time came, but it was all fixed easily. Overall, it was okay but I can't see myself coming back, even to a new location to this chain. The food is bland no matter what state (last place was Delaware). read more

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Service was great. We saw only two servers working. Order was taken promptly and food was served almost immediately.

Awful service. Waitress brought out the carafe of hot water and teabags - can I get a mug please? Waitress comes back out and serves another table and wandered off. Maybe fate knew but when waitress brought out food she knocked over my now full mug. Again she disappeared and didn't return to wipe up the spill. That should have been her priority but she was gone and then serving other tables. I won't bother with a few food issues because honestly, such bad service doesn't warrant a return even for an adequate meal read more

Came in at about 7:30am after a run to the airport. This was my fist time here and it seemed promising. It was early so it was just myself and another person in the restaurant, the server popped out from the kitchen are to seat me and was very friendly. The inside was very clean and the decor was a nice farmhouse style. I looked over the menu, which was pretty expensive and found a few things I liked. This place also does fresh juices but I don't really particularly like them because they have a tendency to be very sweet. I ordered the Floridian French toast and some potatoes ase well as the purple haze juice. The juice came first and I was surprised by the flavors, not too sweet and very refreshing. When the food came out it looked really good, the fruit on top was said to be fresh, however the strawberries looked and tasted like they were going bad. The French toast was ok, nothing to brag about but edible. The potatoes however were just bad. Most of them not cooked through and burnt. Seemed as if they were heated up from the previous day or just done at high heat to get them out fast. The thing I didn't like was instead of noting that I didn't really touch the potatoes, my server (who was great all around) didn't offer to take them off my bill, instead asked if I wanted them in a box, and when I said no she still didn't offer to remove them or even question if there was a problem. And she brought out the check so quickly as if to say, you got your check, no complaining now. All in all, good place to take family for breakfast and to enjoy some juice but if you are hoping to get great food that looks and tastes great, this is not the place. I will be back to try out other menu items but it will be while before that happens. read more

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This was my first time in a first watch after seeing them all over. I enjoyed how the menu offered a little of everything. My food was served quickly and was very flavorful. The playlist was amazing and the server was great! read more

First Watch - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I recently visited First Watch for breakfast and was very disappointed with the service. Our server, Raevin, made the experience extremely unpleasant. She was rude, dismissive, and made me feel like I was a burden for simply being there. It was clear she didn't want to be helping us, which completely soured the meal. The food was okay--nothing special, just fine--but the service was so bad that it overshadowed the entire visit. I came expecting a pleasant breakfast, but unfortunately, Raevin's attitude made it anything but enjoyable. Definitely won't be coming back anytime soon. the overall vibe of the restaurant is quite chaotic and everyone seems very stressed. the ambiance could be improved for sure but obviously it's nothing too serious. read more

I really wanted to give them multiple tries but in the end the service is horrible. Sat down and ordered and everyone who ordered after us got thier food first by at least 15 minutes. Very disappointed. Waitress didn't even bother to update us. I had to ask. Food also didn't come out together. read more

Great place! Carrot pancake is a must! My server, Cora is one of a kind. She really made this a great breakfast experience. I was only goi g for some toast and an egg but she recommended the pancakes... so glad she did!!! I had both eggs and pancake - delicious - I'll be back...thank you read more

First Watch - Cora - what a great personality/ server - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

First Watch Ballantyne! Just finished breakfast. I ordered The Works omelette and it was good. I got a side of potatoes and they appear to be cooked with bacon. They weren't under or overcooked. Whole grain toast with strawberry jam on the side. The jam was good! It was the consistency of apple sauce. I didn't know what it was because if I did I probably wouldn't have eaten it which would have been a shame! As for the omelette the eggs were spot on. Fluffy and not overcooked! Looks of eat and the cheese was nicely melted. They also have flavored creamer on the table! WINNER! read more

My favorite location has always been the Matthews location, but this location served really awesome food too. The food arrived quickly to our table, was deliciously fresh, and looked so vibrant. We had come not long after they had recently opened though and we could definitely tell that they were still a work in progress. The server was just so aloof. He was nice and friendly, but so forgetful and clueless. It was to the point where it felt awkward at times. Also, there is outdoor seating available if you want to bring your pup! read more

The food is first rate and never greasey or overdone. A true farm to table establishment!

Food was great. Bianca our waitress was great. Ambiance is nice. You will wait for a table because this place is popular so be prepared. Ladies at the front checking people in were a bit testy today but overall good experience. read more

First Watch - Wrap - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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First of all, let me say that I am sorry I waited so long to try this place. The food was delicious and plentiful. Been here several times and have yet to be disappointed. Tina has taken care of us many times and she treated us well. Ask for her when you go there, you won't be sorry. read more

Sustainably harvested food. Centrally located, outdoor patio, what's not to love ? Everything. Good food isn't hard to come by in Ballantyne (unless you're at first watch) so let's start with the ambiance. The outdoor seating is a nice touch, but if it's full your relegated to indoors. It has all the ingredients to make a nice atmosphere, local sustainable wood, clean and even lighting and ample window for natural outdoor lighting. Unfortunately, that's where things start to go wrong. Being such a small place with so much glass, the acoustics don't stand much of a chance. The staff here seems to think they're running a house party, I found myself having to raise my voice excessively just to hear and repeat "WHAT?" More than once. That is not a great vibe for an early Sunday morning. One star in ambiance. I would say just order your food here but I don't recommend it, let me tell you why.... But first, the service. I found myself at a table near the hostess booth, and looking around saw plenty of wait staff. Perhaps more than I've seen at any other similarly sized restaurant, so the service should be quick and pleasant ? But it wasn't. I sat at a table for 20 minutes before they could decide who would serve my table and just waiting for a cup of coffee. The whole reason I came here was the fresh squeezed orange juice, so let's get to the food. For starters, the coffee; Burnt is generous. This coffee had a terrible taste, burnt. I always start drinking my coffee black, so it was a disappointment that it wasn't palatable. Which is a shame considering they're next door to summit coffee. Don't order the coffee here. You'll regret it. The real reason I came here was the orange juice - 100% cold squeezed. I placed my order and verified with the server that it was indeed cold squeezed when the order was placed. What I received shortly later was a very yellow (oxidized, not freshly squeezed) glass of juice. Giving it the benefit of the doubt I tried it, it had a sour taste, next to no pulp and clear separation of water and concentrate. A bottle of Tropicana from the grocery store has a better flavor. Don't order the orange juice here, you'll be sorely disappointed. Now the food; I had the "elevated egg sandwich". Eggs on a brioche bun, bacon, avocado, you get the gist. I was excited for this because I love a good brioche bun. When the plate arrived it was "meh" at best in the presentation. Sautéed potatoes and a stacked sandwich. Let's start with the potatoes. The potatoes had a great look to them, crisp brown parts and some charred black bits scattered throughout, but once you have a bite, what you taste is burnt. Burnt ingredients fried in burnt oil. It's the burn oil that really kills it. A little char adds nice flavor, but unfortunately the chef that was cooking this decided to burn whatever oil they were using, so the oil itself had a terrible burnt flavor that was infused into everything. The oil, in fact, was generously applied instead if a lightly tossed coating. This leaves you with a burnt, oily catastrophe. The sandwich itself was just bad. The brioche bun? Brioche is not what I received; but a stale hamburger bun. The egg was somehow undercooked and over cooked at the same time. Parts of the yolk were solid, while simultaneously squirting yolk into the otherwise overly dry hamburger bun. The bacon was mediocre at best and the avocado was just avocado, a little mushy. My wife ordered a chickichanga, which, while the texture was nice, was overall bland with an overpowering citrus sauce coating. This is the first time I've ever not finished my food at a restaurant. Two sips of the orange juice, two sips of the coffee, two bites of the sandwich and a couple of potatoes. I've never been so disappointed and can not shout loudly enough " RUN AWAY!! ". I paid in full and left a tip so I can leave this completely unbiased review. I can only hope this place gets replaced soon with a decent restaurant. Until then take your money somewhere you will enjoy. read more

I should have taken a picture of this omelet and potatoes it was truly pathetic. Just a few cold scattered tiny potatoes and an omelette filled with gelatinous cheese. It looked like they severed me the rest of the potatoes someone else had already eaten half of. The best thing about the meal was the toast. (And it was only 1 piece of bread) at least it was hot! $18. I do not know why this chain's food quality has absolutely tanked. It was not like this when the chain first popped up a couple years ago in the Charlotte area. Huge disappointment and I'm never going to this place again. read more

I was very disappointed on my last visit to first watch. We were seated at a reasonable time, but we waited for food over 45 minutes while others got their food before we did but came after we came. (At least 3 tables). My waffle was not even warm and the waitress didn't properly check on us. We were courteous but I would recommend better training. read more

This is probably the best place to get a breakfast on this area. 88 min walk from Hilton, 3 min - from Marriott. The breakfast is a way better than in a hotel. It is about $20 including coffee. You need to pay on the counter like in a diner. Interior is great, as well as the personnel. read more

Our experience with First Watch this morning was awesome! The food was delicious and the million dollar bacon was next level! Our server, Cora, went above and beyond to make sure our brunch was great. She was kind, caring, and attentive-even during a super busy Sunday morning. read more

Great service from Damian food was decent Definitely would come back . Wasn't to crowded on a Saturday morning. read more

The food was fresh and very yummy. the service was excellent. The ambiance was very modern. read more

Bianca took great care of us. Food was delicious. Please turn off the thumping music - it was just not welcome for breakfast.

Not impressed... This was our first time ever at a First Watch. When we arrived, there was a manager I'm assuming at the front desk, she was wearing a hat and in all black. She was busy talking to a waitress about personal things and just looked at us for a few minutes... while she continued her conversation. Finally, once done with personal convo after a few minutes, we were seated. Table was dirty, silverware was dirty and waitress wanted our order immediately. We asked for a few minutes and she snatched our coffee cups up. Maybe we wanted coffee?! All we had to drink was water and waitress interrupted our meal multiple times as she decided to refill everything on our table, reaching over my plate as I'm eating multiple times. That's NOT necessary and just rude! Food tasted good, but honestly, the waitress ruined this experience. She was rude multiple times and kept interrupting by refilling creamer, sugar, and sugar substitute when we were using none of those! I'd try first watch again, but won't go back to this one. read more

We were very grateful to have been included in the early launch of this location...... they have LOADS of staff and will clearly work through some of the early service kinks, but the space is beautiful and the food was top notch. (I love the bread they give you at First Watch). The coffee was great too. I have no doubt this will be a new breakfast staple for this side of Charlotte. I always order the ham and gruyere omelette (one of my favorites as they always prepare it perfectly). The juices are tasty too - unfortunately we weren't able to indulge in the seasonal items, but we already know from the other location that those are well worth it as well. Looking forward to pumpkin pancakes making their way onto the menu! The kiddo got 2 chocolate chip pancakes and those babies were HUGE (there was no way he was going to finish them). We saw lots of happy people & hope they keep this high bar... they can totally stand out from the other place down the street (I'm talking to YOU Ruby's). read more

I just left the First Watch here in Ballantyne and it was the worst experience. It took about 10 minutes to get our drink order served and about 30 minutes to get our food. My pancake was absolutely burnt on the underside - which should have never left the kitchen. The potatoes were half raw/half overcooked (not even sure how that happens). I've eaten in several First Watches in the southeast and never had an issue. This is a newly opened location, so I hope it's a fluke. The manager never came out to address the situation, but the pancake was eliminated from the check. Improvement is necessary. This location is in a great spot, but with that kind of experience, it won't do well. read more

Hopes we're dashed We were in town for the weekend had eaten at another location back home in Texas. Still not impressed and service was basically non-existent (is it generational?). The menu is pretentious. We ordered different types of eggs and received oil soaked eggs fried hard. The potatoes were still hard and not cooked all the way. The manager sat us, another lady took our drink order, then a 3rd arrived and asked our drinks order.....which was wrong as well. Our assigned waitress seemed like she'd rather just run food then service her tables. The manager came and was apologetic. Won't be visiting this chain at all ..ever. read more

Breakfast, drinks and service were great. Bianca was friendly and helpful. The service was quick, accurate and delicious. The morning market vegetable omelette has it all. The drink options vary for your palette. I recommend the morning meditation. read more

Great staff, super nice restaurant. Highly recommend! The good and juice is always on point and looks so good

Our party of 6 had breakfast on Sunday, October 8, 2023. Our server did a great job, but one of the other servers , Merissa, saw she had a lot and came over and helped with water, coffee and delivering the food to the table! That showed she cared about her co-worker and also about us getting our food quickly! Kudos to First Watch and to your servers! We'll be back again! read more

Rude staff and extremely poor customer service. I have visited once in person and attempted to communicate with First Watch over the phone, and dealt with unprofessional and rude customer service each time. Staff hung up on me last time I called the restaurant. In person visit was extremely unpleasant due to staff behaviors while interacting with us. Given the quality of the food, First Watch is not worth visiting until staff + managers improve professionalism. read more